Motorsport | Superbikes

Guintoli extends his advantage

Despite failing to win either race at Assen on Sunday, Sylvain Guintoli left the Netherlands having extended his advantage in the standings.

The Aprilia Racing rider claimed a podium finish in Race 1 when he brought his bike home in third place after a thrilling tussle with Jonathan Rea that he lost on the final lap.

However, in Race 2 - which was won by his teammate Eugene Laverty - he could only manage sixth after losing out to Chaz Davies at the end.

That result brought to an end the Frenchman's run of podium results having finished every one of the previous five events in the top three.

But despite that record coming to an end, Guintoli was able to extend his advantage at the top of the World Superbike Championship standings to 28 points ahead of Laverty.

"It's too bad about the end of Race 2," he said." I enjoy a fight in the last laps but this time I just wasn't able to do it.

"In Race 1, on the other hand, Rea and I put on a good show and in the end Jonny got the best of me but I had fun. In the second race Tom and my teammate Laverty really had an unbeatable pace.

"Let's just say that the second race didn't go great, but I was able to increase my lead in the championship, widening the gap in front of my closest rivals, and that's important, especially considering the fact that the next round is Monza, a circuit where Aprilia has always been a strong player."